NS3: Various Synth and Aftertouch Questions

[tsss27]

Hi everyone,
I have been checking various posts here for a while and decided to register as I am considering getting a Stage3 Compact.
Here is where things get complicated. I also really want a nice analog Moog, like a Voyager Old School. Problem is I cannot afford both right now.
How well does the Nord create classic Moog analog leads and basses? As in, without the effects on, does it really sound convincing in this area? If I use the pedal to morph filter cutoff, is there any stepping?
Someone made a demo of a Voyager and Nord sawtooth with the filter wide open and they were very close. But the filter, and how the waves interact when very slightly detuned are important tests...
Does anyone have demos of classic analog mono Moog leads on their Stage3?
I have also personally owned a Moog Subsequent37. I sold it because I kept being drawn to something less modern-sounding.
I say all of this just for perspective, maybe it helps some people tell if the Nord will work for me.

Also, specifically to the Compact model...how is the aftertouch response? I have read many complaints about the weighted actions being very hard to trigger aftertouch, but not so much about the Compact. I use aftertouch a lot and am used to having at least a fair amount of control over it. The best AT response I have used is the Dave Smith Prophet6. Is the AT responsive or do you have to slam it? I do not want to slam the keys to get vibrato...

Lastly, this is a longshot but any blind Nord users here? I am trying to figure out if the Sound Manager and Sample Editor applications are accessible. Hard to know for sure without access to the instrument, at least for the Sound Manager.

[pablomastodon]

AT very easy to trigger on SW73 (Compact) Stage models.

No audible stepping while sweeping cutoff frequency; smooth like butter.

I'll step aside here and let others address your other questions, but there are at least a few non-sighted users here.

Bless, Pablo

[tsss27]

This is all excellent news so far, thanks!

[Elias]

Disclaimer!!! I don’t have much experience with synths. I can not say anything about the sound comparison.

I was sceptic about the aftertouch too, but it really was easy to handle. After using the S3 Compact for one day, I already had the feel under control.

[analogika]

I love the aftertouch on the Stage 3 compact and use it all the time for synth vibrato (on a show just last night, in fact). It has a (to me) very clear tactile definition and is easy and organic to control.

[anotherscott]

Add a cheap, small Behringer Model D or Roland SE-02 to your NS3, controlled via the Nord's EXT function, and you'll have a genuine analog Moog-like sound. The Behringer is most faithful to a Minimoog; the SE-02 a little less so but adds the benefit of being able to recall presets, and will still likely give you what you're looking for.

[Rusty Mike]

I don't use the synth too much on my Stage 2EX, but for the times I need it I route it out of Output 3 and into a Moog Minifooger MFDrive pedal. The pedal has the Moog ladder filter in it along with the drive circuitry, which adds a creamy thickness to the Stage lead patches. It mellows out some of the buzz of Nord's filter.

This runs into a Seymour Duncan analog delay pedal for some depth. It's a quick and simple way to get that girth for the Stage's synth sounds.

Unfortunately, the MFDrive is no longer manufactured, but the idea is to consider a filter or drive pedal as part of your output. It's bit simpler and less expensive compared to adding an external synth.

I can't really speak to the aftertouch on the Compact. My Stage is an HP model, and the AT on it for something like simple vibrato is rather futile. I'm sure the SW key action is much more usable.

[tsss27]

Add a cheap, small Behringer Model D or Roland SE-02 to your NS3, controlled via the Nord's EXT function, and you'll have a genuine analog Moog-like sound. The Behringer is most faithful to a Minimoog; the SE-02 a little less so but adds the benefit of being able to recall presets, and will still likely give you what you're looking for.

Behringer does not support aftertouch and I seem to remember it also had problems with the pitch bend. SE02 might work however I am unsure if I can set up a morph for the external section on the Nord? Is this possible? If not, that's probably out too, as I use the expression pedal regularly.

[WannitBBBad]

I have quite a few synth sounds at the link below that you can listen to. The MP3 is an example of two synths played by a MIDI file - the second has some nice vintage analog qualities to it. I hope this helps - take care.
nord-stage-3-programs-ns3p-ns3pb-files- ... 15748.html

• Cory_Henry_Solo_King_Korg.mp3

[maxpiano]

Behringer does not support aftertouch and I seem to remember it also had problems with the pitch bend. SE02 might work however I am unsure if I can set up a morph for the external section on the Nord? Is this possible? If not, that's probably out too, as I use the expression pedal regularly.

You can setup a Morph to control the CC of the Extern Section; the CC# is set in the Extern Menu and is distinct from expression (CtrlPed = CC11) which has a dedicated emable/disable flag in the same menu.

If you use the AT as morph source you can actually reassign it to any CC (to bypass the limit of external synths not responding to the standard Channel Pressure),